Physlet Illustration: Resistors in Series
In this simulation, a 10 Ohm, 15 Ohm, and 25 Ohm resistor are connected in series.  Use the voltmeters and ammeters to measure the voltages and currents in the circuit.  Are the values consistent with the rule for adding resistors in series?  Can you verify Kirchoff's loop rule?

Hints:

  1. Moving the mouse over the resistors allows you to measure their values.  Moving the mouse over the meters allows you to read them.
  2. What is the equivalent resistance of the circuit?  Is this consistent with the battery voltage and current that it supplies?
  3. What is the voltage drop across each resistor?  How is this related to the voltage drop across the battery?
  4. What is the current through each resistor?  How is this related to the current through the equivalent resistor?
  5. What is the current that flows through a voltmeter?  What is the voltage drop across the ammeters?  Are these as expected?

Reference

See Walker, Section 21-4 & 21-5

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter